Find a quiet place for a few minutes and open up this love letter from the One who died to give you this freedom gift.

Dear Tightly Wound Woman:

I see the way you are growing in grace. It’s a beautiful thing.

I know it feels strange not to lean on your old mindsets and habits as you move forward. But legalism is not needed to be in right standing with Me. In fact, it obstructs your view and tricks you into believing that you can measure up in and of yourself.

You are strong and independent…so dependence on Me does not come easily, yet it is necessary and worth it.

When you lean on Me and My abilities, it actually strengthens you and gives you a firm place to stand (see Psalm 40:2).

As you learn this new way of living—receiving and extending grace—be patient with yourself. It takes time to walk freedom (yet setbacks and trip ups don’t make you any less free). Walk out what is true even when you struggle to believe it.

Freedom is not a once a year celebration, it is your reality; every day, every moment, every breath.

Run, dance, sit, sleep…enjoy the liberty that Jesus died to give you.

No more wasting time, worrying. No more wondering about My devotion to you. No more apologizing for what has already been made right.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In lovehe predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:4-7, NIV).

Let’s go forward together. You are not alone, not annoying, not forgotten. You are mine. I am yours. It’s a done deal.

I am with you and for you…when you are working or resting. At every moment I am well-pleased with you, because I am well-pleased with Christ.

Enjoy your inheritance. Twirl in the field of My provision. Sing of the love that has made all the difference.

Tell of what I have done and invite others to experience the riches of My glorious grace.

*There are affiliate links in this post. If you click through and make a purchase, my guest may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

I’m delighted to introduce you to a lovely friend of mine. This is the woman I reach out to when I need advice about the acting industry for Brooke (since her boys act too) or need to talk to another Modern Martha about juggling creative projects.

God’s Word is a Lifeline for a Lifetime

By Amber Lia

There are plenty of things to be joyful about as a mom, but when my first three sons were running circles around me, I had to search hard and long for my joy. I spent a lot of time beating myself up for my messy house and exasperated state of mind. I had three sons who were 4-years-old and under and I was living in a new town with no family to help and only a few acquaintances.

I had an enemy in this new town too: myself. I was my own worst critic.

Growing up, my home life was fraught with tension. As the years went by, I learned that the one and only thing that saved me from drowning under the weight of my emotions was the Word of God. My parents, for all their own issues, did the best thing for me a parent can do. They helped me memorize and study Bible verses from the time I could talk until I graduated from High School.

One thing was certain—I knew what the Bible said and it helped guide my life as a teenager and young adult more than any other influence.

When I look back on those days of early motherhood, the period of self-loathing didn’t last long. It could have sunk me, but all those years of Bible study enabled the voice of God to drown out my doubts and fears. Was I becoming too impatient? Yes. Did I feel overwhelmed? Yes. Did I feel lonely? For sure. But I also recalled the many Scripture verses that God planted in my heart, and His voice won out.

I began to make quiet times a priority again. My prayer life rejuvenated as I prayed through God’s promises for my life. Change, by the grace of God, flooded my heart.

The grace that saved me from my sin at a young age began to strengthen me and draw me to the Lord in new ways as a mom.

I was forgiven then, and I was forgiven now. God was ready and eager to give me what I did not deserve. He enabled me to become more like Him, offering grace to my children to grow and mature. Each day became something to delight in again. The behaviors that once frustrated me in my kids became beautiful challenges that I got to help guide them through as a loving mom, just as my Heavenly Father was doing for me.

Now that my oldest son is 10-years-old and our family has grown to add our newest baby boy, bringing our “testoster-home” to four sons, I have seen the importance of passing down my parents’ legacy to my own children.

It was the Bible, rooted deep in my heart and mind that caused me to run to Jesus when my life was not what I expected. It was God’s Word that gave me wisdom as a mom, and it was the Bible that encouraged my heart and gave me hope. There was no way I was going to miss that opportunity with my boys!

I designed daily Bible studies with all my years of teaching experience in mind. My kids LOVE going through the Bible with me. They even ask me every day if we can do our Study Buddy Bible Study Guide together. There is nothing sweeter than our discussions about God!

And now, the first topic in the series that I studied with my kids is available for parents like you too—just in time for summer!

The Study Buddy Bible Study series is for every parent who wants their child to develop the life-long habit of studying Scripture. Full of simple yet practical applications, this study on the book of Proverbs focuses on 20 key verses about wisdom that teach kids how to use good judgment on a daily basis. Designed to take just 10 minutes a day, this collaborative study is a wonderful way to reach your child’s heart without being overwhelming.

Each day includes:
– A verse from God’s Word to study
– Space to write and commit Scripture to heart
– A big idea to remember
– Several interactive questions for reflection
– Parent/child questions to spark lively conversation.

This Proverbs study covers ideas like protecting your heart, doing good to others, taking care of animals, avoiding gossip, not starting a fight, and obeying parents. It’s ideal for ages 7-12, but can be adjusted for younger kids too.

The grace of God was more than enough to turn my mothering from stressful to joyful but only because of the Truth that my parents hid in my heart as a child. That’s what a legacy is all about. I hope this series will bless you in unimaginable ways as you do the same for your family.

With Grace,
Amber

A former high school English teacher and best-selling author of Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses, Amber is a work-at-home mom of four little boys. She and her husband, Guy, own Storehouse Media Group, a faith and family-friendly television and film production company in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not building sand castles with her boys on the beach in Santa Monica or searching for Nerf darts all over her house, you can find Amber writing here to spur others on with biblical truth and practical insights!

I’m so glad Amber could join us today! What are some summer activities you are doing this year?

I’m weary of not being good enough. Not a good enough spouse, mom, writer, friend, daughter, sister, teacher. All my intentions and efforts seem to fall short as I try to measure up.

Do you wrestle with the truth, that in all our striving, in all our doing, in spite of all our creative and determined endeavors, it is not enough? It’s not enough to save us and make us righteous.

It’s not enough to earn favor and right standing with the Lord.

Without Jesus, we are not enough.

I can hear the strong and self-sufficient ones arguing, “But I am capable and confident. Surely my works are enough to stay in His good graces!” “Surely what I do is enough. I work so hard!”

But His grace isn’t earned. And apart from Him we have no good thing.

We don’t have to beg, plead, demand or steal, to turn His gaze toward us. We are only required to make a choice: to believe and receive Him…or not.

Believe that He is Savior (The Forgiveness for our sins).

Receive His Sufficiency (The Enough for our lack).

Enjoy His Love (The Hope for our limitations).

In Him, with Him, through Him, we can truly live the abundant life and rest secure; forever.

We find hope in the One who hung on the cross for our sin. We experience peace because He was pierced for us. We discover joy beyond our circumstances because for the joy set before Him He died to set us free from the need to measure up (based on our efforts).

welcome

Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.
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